Multiple orientation battery connector

ABSTRACT

A connector is provided for electrically coupling a battery with a battery-powered device. The connector includes a first dual-contact assembly and a second dual-contact assembly. Each of the dual-contact assemblies includes a positive contact for contacting a positive PP3 terminal of a PP3 battery, and a negative contact for contacting a negative PP3 terminal of the PP3 battery. Each dual-contact assembly is configured so that, when the dual-contact assembly is physically engaged with either of the PP3 battery terminals, one of the contacts of the dual-contact assembly electrically engages the PP3 battery terminal, while the other of the contacts of the dual-contact assembly is electrically insulated from the PP3 battery terminal. Accordingly, the PP3 battery may be installed in either of two valid connection states relative to the connector, in which appropriate electrical connectivity is provided via the connector to a device to be powered by the PP3 battery.

BACKGROUND

Batteries are commonly used to provide power to electronic devices.Typically, batteries are placed within a battery-operated device in aparticular orientation to properly complete an electrical circuit. Forexample, some batteries have a positive terminal at one end of thebattery and a negative terminal at the other end of the battery, and thebattery must be properly oriented so that the battery terminals engageappropriate contacts of the device. Other battery configurations includepositive and negative terminals adjacent one another or in relativepositions/locations other than at opposing ends of a battery. Regardlessof the particular configuration of the battery and its terminals,incorrectly orienting batteries within a device or with respect to abattery connector may not only yield an incomplete circuit rendering thebattery-operated device unusable, but may also cause electrical or otherdamage to the components of the device.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, the present description provides a connector forelectrically coupling a battery with a battery-powered device. Theconnector includes first and second dual-contact assemblies, each ofwhich includes a positive contact configured to contact a positive PP3terminal of a PP3 battery and a negative contact configured to contact anegative PP3 terminal of the PP3 battery. Each dual-contact assembly isconfigured so that, when the dual-contact assembly is physically engagedwith either of the PP3 battery terminals, one of the contacts of thedual-contact assembly electrically engages the PP3 battery terminal,while the other of the contacts of the dual-contact assembly iselectrically insulated from the PP3 battery terminal. Accordingly, thePP3 battery may be installed with the connector in either of two validconnection states, in which appropriate electrical connectivity isprovided via the connector to a device to be powered by the PP3 battery.

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This Summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended tobe used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. Furthermore,the claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that solveany or all disadvantages noted in any part of this disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 schematically shows a battery and battery-powered deviceaccording to the present description, including a connector forelectrically coupling the battery to a circuit of the device.

FIGS. 2 and 3 are exploded views of embodiments of a battery connectorthat may be used to electrically couple a battery to a battery-powereddevice.

FIG. 4 is a top view of a battery, shown together with certaincross-sectioned components of a battery connector that may be used toelectrically couple the battery to a battery-powered device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure relates to a connector for electrically couplinga battery to a battery-powered device. As will be described with respectto various examples, the connector can be configured to enable validoperation regardless of the particular installed orientation of thebattery. In many cases, the battery will have two terminals (positiveand negative) that are to be connected to the battery-powered device.Typically, a pair of couplers or connection points is provided tofacilitate the connection, thus presenting the possibility of physicallyorienting the battery relative to the device/connector in one of twodifferent orientations. The connector examples described herein allowthe battery to be validly connected in either orientation. Specifically,in either orientation, appropriate electrical connectivity isestablished to permit device operation and avoid theelectrical/mechanical damage that can arise in prior art connectors thatthat allow for only one valid orientation.

In some previous solutions, users must insert batteries in a particularorientation, taking care to properly align positive and negativeterminals with corresponding polarity-specific contacts (i.e., positiveand negative) on the device. Although such previous solutions are attimes accompanied by a diagram or instructions indicating proper batteryorientation, it may be difficult to see such instructions underconditions where eyesight is compromised, such as poorly lit areas, oras may be the case for some elderly users. Additionally, suchinstructions may be difficult for young children to follow. Furthermore,following such diagrams each time batteries are replaced in a devicethat quickly goes through batteries may be unnecessarily time-consumingand such battery replacement may become frustrating to the user. Asdescribed above, incorrectly orienting batteries in such previoussolutions not only renders the electrical circuit incomplete, but mayalso damage other electronic components of the device. Thus, the batteryconnector of the present disclosure includes dual-contact assembliesconfigured to validly accept batteries in either orientation, asdescribed in more detail hereafter.

Some of the examples herein will be discussed in the context of a PP3battery, also known as a 9-volt battery. In this battery configuration,the body of the battery is shaped as a rounded rectangular prism, andpositive and negative terminals are provided next to each other on anend surface of the body/package of the battery. The negative PP3terminal is relatively larger, and often is provided in a generallycylindrical form. More particularly, the negative PP3 terminal may beformed with a hexagonal or octagonal shape that can be snapped to acorresponding structure on a battery connector. The positive PP3terminal is relatively smaller, and typically is also generallycylindrical but formed more specifically as a cylinder shape (i.e.,typically without hexagonal/octagonal features). The positive PP3terminal typically is also snapped or similarly connected to acorresponding structure on a battery connector.

While the examples herein will often focus on a PP3 battery as describedabove, it will be appreciated that the present discussion is applicableto a large extent to other battery and terminal configurations,including cylindrical batteries, coin-shaped batteries, and/or batteriesin other form factors and configurations.

FIG. 1 schematically depicts a PP3 battery 10 and a device 12 that maybe electrically powered by the battery. Device 12 includes a circuit 14via which the device receives and distributes electrical power from thebattery to other components of the device. Also depicted is a connector16 for electrically coupling battery 10 to the circuit 14 of device 12.Connector 16 typically includes a first dual-contact assembly 18 and asecond dual-contact assembly 20. As will be explained in further detailwith reference to other figures, each of the dual contact assembliesincludes a positive contact which is electrically coupled to a positiveportion 22 of circuit 14 and a negative contact which is electricallycoupled to a negative portion 24 of circuit 14. The connections of thesecontacts to the circuit are schematically shown in FIG. 1 as connections26 and 28, which are positive and negative, respectively.

The connector 16 may be engaged with PP3 battery 10 in either of a firstvalid state and a second valid state. The first valid state is indicatedby the solid-line representation of battery 10, and is defined by thefirst dual-contact assembly 18 being physically engaged with a negativePP3 terminal 30 of battery 10, and the second dual-contact assembly 20being physically engaged with a positive PP3 terminal 32 of battery 10.The second valid state is indicated by the dashed-line representation ofbattery 10, and is defined by the first dual-contact assembly 18 beingphysically engaged with positive PP3 terminal 32 of battery 10, and thesecond dual-contact assembly 20 being physically engaged with negativePP3 terminal 30 of battery 10.

In either of the first and second valid states shown in FIG. 1,appropriate electrical connections are established between the PP3battery and circuit 14. Accordingly, in either state, appropriateelectrical power is provided to device 12, and the arrangement avoidsthe potential damage that can occur in prior art systems as a result ofinstalling a battery in an invalid orientation.

In typical embodiments, the appropriate electrical connections areestablished as a result of the engagement occurring between thedual-contact assemblies and the PP3 battery terminals. In particular,each dual-contact assembly is configured so that, when physicallyengaged with a positive PP3 battery terminal, the positive contact ofthe dual-contact assembly electrically engages the positive PP3terminal, while the negative contact of the dual-contact assembly iselectrically insulated from the positive PP3 terminal. Conversely, butsimilarly, when the dual-contact assembly is engaged with a negative PP3battery terminal, the positive contact of the dual-contact assembly iselectrically insulated from the negative PP3 terminal, while thenegative contact of the dual-contact assembly electrically engages thenegative PP3 terminal.

FIG. 2 depicts PP3 battery 10 with a further embodiment of a connector40 for electrically coupling battery 10 to a device. The components ofconnector 40 are shown in an exploded view for clarity. Connector 40includes a first dual-contact assembly 42, including a positive contact44 for contacting a positive PP3 battery terminal and a negative contact46 for contacting a negative PP3 battery terminal. The connector alsoincludes a second dual-contact assembly 52, including a positive contact54 for contacting a positive PP3 battery terminal and a negative contact56 for contacting a negative PP3 battery terminal. As previouslydiscussed, two valid connection states are permitted, in which eitherPP3 terminal can be validly electrically connected to eitherdual-contact assembly. Only one of the states/orientations is shown inFIG. 2—i.e., an orientation in which terminal 32 is aligned and engagedwith dual-contact assembly 52 and terminal 30 is aligned and engagedwith dual-contact assembly 42.

Contacts 44, 46, 54 and 56 may be mounted to a base structure 60, whichmay also include a printed circuit board (PCB) or other connectionmechanism. Specifically, positive contacts 44 and 54 typically areconnected together, and/or to a positive circuit connection on thedevice to be powered (e.g., positive portion 22 of circuit 14 in FIG.1). Similarly, negative contacts 46 and 56 typically are connectedtogether and/or to a negative circuit connection of the device beingpowered (e.g., negative portion 24 of circuit 14 in FIG. 1). Inaddition, insulator structures 62 and 64 may be provided, to insulateeach positive contact from each negative contact, and/or to hold thepositive contact in a co-axial alignment or other desired orientationwith respect to the negative contact. In addition to or instead ofinsulator structures, the contacts may simply be held in a spaced-apartorientation.

Contacts 44, 46, 54 and 56 may be generally cylindrical and/or otherwiseadapted to physically engage with the generally cylindrical structure ofthe positive and negative PP3 battery terminals. For example, thenegative contacts (i.e., contacts 46 and 56) may be configured to createan electrical connection by receiving and at least partially surroundingan outer diameter portion 32 a of negative PP3 terminal 32. In addition,the negative contact may be sized or otherwise configured to provide aresiliently-biased engagement with the negative PP3 terminal. Forexample, a resilient metal may be employed for the negative contact. Inaddition, as in the depicted example, notches or cutaway portions may beemployed to facilitate a resilient deformation of the negative contact,so as to provide a press-fit or other resilient engagement when thenegative PP3 terminal is received within the negative contact.

Similarly, the positive contacts (i.e., contacts 44 and 54) may beconfigured so that an electrical connection is created when one of themis received within and at least partially surrounded by an innerdiameter portion 30 a of positive PP3 battery terminal 30. As with thenegative contacts, the positive contacts may be configured to provideresiliently-biased engagement with the positive PP3 terminal, so as toensure a reliable electrical connection. Resilient engagement may befacilitated via choice of conductive material, and by providing notchesor cutaways, as depicted on positive contacts 44 and 54. As discussedwith reference to FIG. 1, each of dual-contact assemblies 42 and 52 arestructured such that, when the dual-contact assembly is physicallyengaged with positive PP3 battery terminal, the positive contactelectrically engages the positive PP3 terminal while the negativecontact is insulated from the positive PP3 terminal, and when thedual-contact assembly is physically engaged with the negative PP3battery terminal, the positive contact is insulated from the negativePP3 terminal while the negative contact electrically engages thenegative PP3 terminal. Accordingly, regardless of which orientation thebattery is placed in, appropriate electrical connectivity is establishedbetween the battery and device.

FIG. 3 depicts PP3 battery 10 with another embodiment of a connector 80for electrically coupling the PP3 battery to a device. As with FIG. 2,the various components that may be employed with the connector are shownin an exploded view. FIG. 3 is similar in many respects to FIG. 2. Onepoint of contrast is that positive contacts 82 and 84 are formed as partof a unitary conductive structure, along with positive circuitconnection 86. Similarly, negative contacts 92 and 94 are formedunitarily, along with negative circuit connection 96. Insulatorstructures 102 and 104 may also be provided, to electrically insulatethe two conductive structures from one another and hold them in adesired relative position to one another. In particular, the fourstructures between battery 10 and base structure 110 may be assembledtogether in a stacked configuration. Together with base structure 112,base structure 110 may be used to support the battery and connectorstructures, and/or to provide electrical and physical connections tocomponents of a battery-operated device.

Using the dual-contact assembly language of the prior examples, positivecontact 82 and negative contact 92 define a first dual-contact assembly122 of connector 80, while a second dual-contact assembly 124 is definedby positive contact 84 and negative contact 94. Also as in the priorexamples, a valid electrical engagement may be created by connectingeither PP3 terminal (30 or 32) of battery 10 to either dual-contactassembly (122 or 124). If a given one of the dual-contact assemblies isengaged with the positive PP3 terminal, its positive contact isconnected to the positive PP3 terminal and its negative contact isinsulated from the positive PP3 terminal. On the other hand, if thedual-contact assembly is engaged with the negative PP3 terminal, itsnegative contact is electrically engaged with the negative PP3 terminalwhile its positive contact is insulated from the negative PP3 terminal.Also, similar to the embodiment of FIG. 2, the contacts may be generallycylindrical and/or otherwise configured to create resiliently-biasedengagement with the generally cylindrical structures of the PP3 batteryterminals. Regardless of which orientation the battery is placed in,appropriate conductivity may be provided to the device via positivecircuit connection 86 and negative circuit connection 96. Theseconnections may correspond to connections 26 and 28, respectively, ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 4 shows a top plan view of battery 10, with its PP3 terminalsengaged with the dual-contact assemblies of the connector embodiment ofFIG. 3. In particular, the positive and negative contacts ofdual-contact assemblies 122 and 124 are shown in cross-section. NegativePP3 terminal 32 is shown as being received within and at least partiallysurrounded by negative contact 94. The negative contact 94 makeselectrical contact with the outer diameter or wall portion 32 a of theterminal, and the electrical engagement may be maintained via aresiliently-biased engagement, as previously described. As shown in thefigure, the biasing may occur radially in an inward direction againstthe outer wall region of the terminal. Meanwhile, the relative positionsof negative contact 94 and positive contact 84 result in the positivecontact 84 being spaced and insulated from negative PP3 battery terminal32. As previously discussed, the spacing and insulating may be providedby insulator structures 102 and 104 (not shown in FIG. 4).

Continuing with FIG. 4, positive contact 82 is shown as received withinand at least partially surrounded by an inner diameter or wall portion30 a of positive PP3 terminal 30. The positive contact 82 makeselectrical contact with the positive PP3 terminal, and the electricalconnection may be established and maintained via a resiliently-biasedengagement with the inner wall of the terminal, as previously explained.Similar to the negative contact, the connection of the positive contactmay be maintained via biasing in a radial direction, or outward urgingof the contact against the inner wall region of the positive batteryterminal. The relative physical positions of positive contact 82 andnegative contact 92 result in the negative contact 92 being spaced andinsulated from positive PP3 battery terminal 30. Although not depictedin FIG. 4, it should be understood that the connector embodiment of FIG.2 may be engaged with a battery in a manner similar to that shown inFIG. 4.

In addition to or instead of the above examples, the contact structuresof the dual-contact assemblies may be formed from and/or interconnectedby wire or wire-like structures. For example, a wire contact may beemployed to contact the inner wall portion of a positive PP3 terminal.Such a contact can be adapted to provide a spring-maintained orresiliently-biased connection to ensure electrical contact with thebattery terminal. Similarly, a contact formed from wire or wire-likestructures may be employed to engage an outer portion of a negative PP3terminal. When employed, wire-type contacts may or may not involve acylindrical shape or configuration, and the contacts may or may not beshaped to partially surround or be surrounded by the respective batteryterminal. Indeed, it should be appreciated that various wire contactconfigurations may be employed in connection with thepresently-described battery connectors.

It is to be understood that the configurations and/or approachesdescribed herein are exemplary in nature, and that these specificembodiments or examples are not to be considered in a limiting sense,because numerous variations are possible. The specific routines ormethods described herein may represent one or more of any number ofprocessing strategies. As such, various acts illustrated may beperformed in the sequence illustrated, in other sequences, in parallel,or in some cases omitted. Likewise, the order of the above-describedprocesses may be changed.

The subject matter of the present disclosure includes all novel andnonobvious combinations and subcombinations of the various processes,systems and configurations, and other features, functions, acts, and/orproperties disclosed herein, as well as any and all equivalents thereof.

1. A connector for electrically coupling a PP3 battery with abattery-powered device, the connector comprising: a first dual-contactassembly including a positive contact configured to contact a positivePP3 terminal of the PP3 battery and a negative contact configured tocontact a negative PP3 terminal of the PP3 battery; and a seconddual-contact assembly including a positive contact configured to contactthe positive PP3 terminal of the PP3 battery and a negative contactconfigured to contact the negative PP3 terminal of the PP3 battery,where each of the first dual-contact assembly and the seconddual-contact assembly is configured such that when the dual-contactassembly is physically engaged with the positive PP3 terminal of the PP3battery, the positive contact of the dual-contact assembly electricallyengages the positive PP3 terminal while the negative contact iselectrically insulated from the positive PP3 terminal, and where each ofthe first dual-contact assembly and the second dual-contact assembly isconfigured such that when the dual-contact assembly is physicallyengaged with the negative PP3 terminal of the PP3 battery, the negativecontact of the dual-contact assembly electrically engages the negativePP3 terminal while the positive contact is electrically insulated fromthe negative PP3 terminal.
 2. The connector of claim 1, where for eachof the first dual-contact assembly and the second dual-contact assembly,the negative contact of the dual-contact assembly is configured so that,when the dual-contact assembly is physically engaged with the negativePP3 terminal of the PP3 battery, the negative PP3 terminal of the PP3battery is received within and at least partially surrounded by thenegative contact of the dual-contact assembly.
 3. The connector of claim2, where for each of the first dual-contact assembly and the seconddual-contact assembly, the negative contact of the dual-contact assemblyis generally cylindrical.
 4. The connector of claim 3, where for each ofthe first dual-contact assembly and the second dual-contact assembly,the negative contact of the dual-contact assembly is sized andconfigured to cause resiliently-biased engagement with an outer portionof the negative PP3 terminal of the PP3 battery.
 5. The connector ofclaim 1, where for each of the first dual-contact assembly and thesecond dual-contact assembly, the positive contact of the dual-contactassembly is configured so that, when the dual-contact assembly isphysically engaged with the positive PP3 terminal of the PP3 battery,the positive contact of the dual-contact assembly is received within andat least partially surrounded by the positive PP3 terminal of the PP3battery.
 6. The connector of claim 5, where for each of the firstdual-contact assembly and the second dual-contact assembly, the positivecontact of the dual-contact assembly is generally cylindrical.
 7. Theconnector of claim 6, where for each of the first dual-contact assemblyand the second dual-contact assembly, the positive contact of thedual-contact assembly is sized and configured to causeresiliently-biased engagement with an inner portion of the positive PP3terminal of the PP3 battery.
 8. The connector of claim 1, furthercomprising, for each of the first dual-contact assembly and the seconddual-contact assembly, an insulator for electrically insulating thepositive contact of the dual-contact assembly from the negative contactof the dual-contact assembly.
 9. A device configured to be electricallypowered by a PP3 battery, the device comprising: a circuit via which thedevice receives and distributes electrical power from the PP3 battery toone or more other components of the device; and a connector forelectrically coupling the PP3 battery to the circuit, the connectorincluding a first dual-contact assembly and a second dual-contactassembly, the connector being engageable with the PP3 battery in eitherof a first valid state and a second valid state, the first valid statebeing defined by the first dual-contact assembly being physicallyengaged with a positive PP3 terminal of the PP3 battery and the seconddual-contact assembly being physically engaged with a negative PP3terminal of the PP3 battery, the second valid state being defined by thefirst dual-contact assembly being physically engaged with the negativePP3 terminal of the PP3 battery and the second dual-contact assemblybeing physically engaged with the positive PP3 terminal of the PP3battery, where for each of the first dual-contact assembly and thesecond dual-contact assembly, the dual-contact assembly includes apositive contact electrically coupled with a positive portion of thecircuit and a negative contact electrically coupled with a negativeportion of the circuit, the positive contact and the negative contactbeing configured such that, when the dual-contact assembly is physicallyengaged with the positive PP3 terminal of the PP3 battery, the positivecontact is electrically coupled with the positive PP3 terminal while thenegative contact is electrically insulated from the positive PP3terminal, the positive contact and the negative contact of thedual-contact assembly being further configured such that, when thedual-contact assembly is physically engaged with the negative PP3terminal of the PP3 battery, the negative contact is electricallycoupled with the negative PP3 terminal while the positive contact iselectrically insulated from the negative PP3 terminal.
 10. The device ofclaim 9, where for each of the first dual-contact assembly and thesecond dual-contact assembly, the negative contact of the dual-contactassembly is configured so that, when the dual-contact assembly isphysically engaged with the negative PP3 terminal of the PP3 battery,the negative PP3 terminal of the PP3 battery is received within and atleast partially surrounded by the negative contact of the dual-contactassembly.
 11. The device of claim 9, where for each of the firstdual-contact assembly and the second dual-contact assembly, the positivecontact of the dual-contact assembly is configured so that, when thedual-contact assembly is physically engaged with the positive PP3terminal of the PP3 battery, the positive contact of the dual-contactassembly is received within and at least partially surrounded by thepositive PP3 terminal of the PP3 battery.
 12. The device of claim 9,further comprising, for each of the first dual-contact assembly and thesecond dual-contact assembly, an insulator for electrically insulatingthe positive contact of the dual-contact assembly from the negativecontact of the dual-contact assembly.
 13. A connector for electricallycoupling a battery with a battery-powered device, the connectorcomprising: a first dual-contact assembly including a positive contactconfigured to contact a positive terminal of the battery and a negativecontact configured to contact a negative terminal of the battery; and asecond dual-contact assembly including a positive contact configured tocontact the positive terminal of the battery and a negative contactconfigured to contact the negative terminal of the battery, where eachdual-contact assembly is configured so that, when the dual-contactassembly is physically engaged with either of the battery terminals, oneof the contacts of the dual-contact assembly is radially biased againsta wall portion of the engaged battery terminal, while the other of thecontacts of the dual-contact assembly is spaced and electricallyinsulated from the engaged battery terminal.
 14. The connector of claim13, where for each of the first dual-contact assembly and the seconddual-contact assembly, the negative contact of the dual-contact assemblyis configured so that, when the dual-contact assembly is physicallyengaged with the negative terminal of the battery, the negative terminalof the battery is received within and at least partially surrounded bythe negative contact of the dual-contact assembly.
 15. The connector ofclaim 14, where for each of the first dual-contact assembly and thesecond dual-contact assembly, the negative contact of the dual-contactassembly is generally cylindrical.
 16. The connector of claim 15, wherefor each of the first dual-contact assembly and the second dual-contactassembly, the negative contact of the dual-contact assembly is sized andconfigured to cause resiliently-biased engagement with an outer portionof the negative terminal of the battery.
 17. The connector of claim 13,where for each of the first dual-contact assembly and the seconddual-contact assembly, the positive contact of the dual-contact assemblyis configured so that, when the dual-contact assembly is physicallyengaged with the positive terminal of the battery, the positive contactof the dual-contact assembly is received within and at least partiallysurrounded by the positive terminal of the battery.
 18. The connector ofclaim 17, where for each of the first dual-contact assembly and thesecond dual-contact assembly, the positive contact of the dual-contactassembly is generally cylindrical.
 19. The connector of claim 18, wherefor each of the first dual-contact assembly and the second dual-contactassembly, the positive contact of the dual-contact assembly is sized andconfigured to cause resiliently-biased engagement with an inner portionof the positive terminal of the battery.
 20. The connector of claim 13,further comprising, for each of the first dual-contact assembly and thesecond dual-contact assembly, an insulator for electrically insulatingthe positive contact of the dual-contact assembly from the negativecontact of the dual-contact assembly.